Rainy Weather Might Hamper Final Boating Weekend

by Jonathan Weaver

Cooler temperatures will greet recreational boaters this weekend during the last week of Allegheny River lock operations.

The amount of recreational lockages has been in stark contrast to this time last year, Allegheny River Development Corporation President Linda Hemmes said.

Hemmes logs river lockages after every report from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as well as the weather or river conditions.

“Last year, when we had all that rain and awful stuff, it was pretty ugly,” Hemmes said. “This year has been wonderful. We have had really, really excellent lock numbers coming through.

“(This year,) There was sun, rain sometimes, but it was hot and humid. It was rare when it was bitter cold or the river wasn’t nice – we haven’t had that this year. We are really doing a bunch of lockages.”

For example, lock operators also reportedly were “slammed” Saturday, Aug. 6 – the weekend of the 45th annual Fort Armstrong Folk Festival in Kittanning.

Even with the high number of lockages, Hemmes still have been pushing to close the year with 500 lockages at Locks #6, 7, 8, and 9 – the benchmark for receiving the next level of service from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Lock #7 in Kittanning came close to that benchmark last year and is one of the busiest in 2016.

In November, Hemmes explained ARDC is charged $93.50 per hour per lock or $3,740 per day for lock operations.

Lock 6 and 7 were only in the sixth level of service effective in Summer 2012 – service by appointment for commercial vessels only.

Hemmes will continue to market the use of recreational boating and encourage economic use in nearby towns impacted due to the “enormous” amount of money that impacts the industry.

Lock 6 in Freeport, 7 in Kittanning, 8 in Templeton and 9 in Washington Township all are open from noon-8PM Saturday and Sunday.

 

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